My brother was on a business trip to India recently and was - apparently - so efficient that he finished his assignment a week early. Why not come to China and take the trans-Pacific route back home to Dallas? I suggested. There was little time to apply for a Chinese visa but since he is a US citizen, he could avail of the 72-hour visa-free transit, available to citizens of about 50 countries and offered by nearly 20 cities. Three…

One of the new notions Premier Li Keqiang put forward in this year's Government Work Report on March 5 is a "New era of mass tourism". In it, the phrase "Paid vacations" appears again as a fundamental aspect of the trend. "We will ensure people are able to take their paid vacations, strengthen the development of tourist and transport facilities, scenic spots and tourist sites, and recreational vehicle parks, and see that the tourist market operates in line with regulations.…

The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) on Saturday called on tourists to show good manners at attractions nationwide during the three-day break for Tomb-sweeping Day on Monday. The CNTA asked tourists to behave themselves in order to make tourism "civilized, safe, green and harmonious." The administration also urged its local branches to properly address tourist complaints, saying that it will make public typical cases after the holiday. Citizens can choose to provide tips on violations of relevant rules or laws…

A rule limiting visitors from Shenzhen to one trip a week has added momentum to a dive in Hong Kong's visitor numbers - with merchants calling for a review of the measure as the government readies a marketing makeover. Tour-related incidents and politically motivated protests - culminating in a riot during Chinese New Year - have sent visitor numbers from Hong Kong's key source of tourists plummeting for months. Inbound mainland visitor figures have decreased by 3 percent year-on-year in…